Watches of violent thunderstorms and torrential rain played spoilsport on Sunday, forcing the cancellation of Midsummer festivities across Quebec. This Monday, the weather forecast is rainy, but milder, offering a glimpse of hope for lovers of La Belle Province.
Even if rain could be on the way, for the organizers of the Quebec National Day in Montreal, there is no question of cancelling the big show that is still scheduled for 8 p.m. at Maisonneuve Park.
“We invite Quebecers to come in large numbers, rain, not rain […]. It’s a meeting,” Marie-France Côté, press relations manager, confirmed by email. The traditional parade, which will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the corner of Rachel and Molson streets, is also being maintained.
Some were hoping for a sunny Monday, with The Weather Network announcing it would be “the most beautiful day of this long three-day weekend.” But the latest forecasts from Environment Canada are a little less optimistic. “It may still be tight for the activities that will take place late in the afternoon,” warns Catherine Brabant, meteorologist at Environment Canada. “But it will be much less worse [than Sunday], it’s getting better,” she emphasizes.
In some places, it is possible that “a few unlucky people could have showers or a thunderstorm” in the evening, says the meteorologist. In Estrie, the rain should stop a little later than in the Montreal or Quebec region.
In addition, a storm surge warning was issued for the sectors of Quebec, Lévis and Côte-de-Beaupré-L’Île d’Orléans. This Monday morning, between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., “a minor overflow [could occur] along the coast,” states the warning from Environment Canada. Moderate winds induced by a depression from the Great Lakes, combined with high tides, could indeed cause coastal flooding.
At the time these lines were written, the vast majority of activities announced for this Monday were being maintained, except for the outdoor cinema activity at Joseph-H.-Maloney Park, in Gatineau.
On Sunday, severe thunderstorm watches were issued across southern and central Quebec, jeopardizing many outdoor shows planned for Midsummer.
On the Plains of Abraham, the first part of the great national holiday show, provided by the Zébulon group, was canceled due to torrential rain. “This decision was taken to ensure the safety of everyone, including artists, spectators and the production team,” the organizers announced early in the afternoon.
Many other shows were canceled or postponed on Sunday across Quebec, due to the weather. As a result, the Michel Rivard concert, which was planned for the Assomption, as well as several festivities which were to take place in Joliette, Laval or Gatineau, suffered. Several municipalities have also canceled or postponed the fireworks which were to conclude the evening.
Municipalities invite the population to stay informed whether or not their activities are being maintained this Monday, on their websites and social networks.